INFANT CARE from 2 Months to 4 Months

Your baby will continue to surprise you with new developmental milestones!  She will be smiling and making cooing sounds in response to being talked to and played with.  You may also notice that her cry becomes differentiated according to her needs.  That is, her cry to be fed is different from the cry that tells you that she just wants to be held.  This is an individual personality developing communication skills.  It is important to remember that development follows the same sequence in all children but the rate of acquisition of these skills varies with each individual.  Also, no baby is average.  Each is special and advances in her own way.  These truly are very exciting times!

Feeding

Continue breast-feeding (or bottle-feeding) only.  Remember, formula-fed infants require some sterile water as formula is more concentrated than breast milk.  If your water supply is not fluoridated, please notify your doctor so a fluoride supplement can be prescribed.  Infant feeding demands will continue to vary from day to day just as yours do.  This is normal.  At this age infants require breast milk or commercial formula only.  No solid food is necessary.  In fact, feeding solid foods at this age may increase your baby's risk for allergy.

Sleeping

Your infant will continue to sleep a large portion of every 24 hours.  You may begin to notice periods of wakefulness in the morning, late afternoon, and early evening.  This is the start of a more predictable sleep pattern.  Begin to establish a bedtime routine as your child sleeps longer intervals at night.  If your child seems unusually fussy at a particular time of day discuss this with your physician.  It is permissible to give yourself a break, consider hiring a babysitter or getting some assistance from relatives or friends.

Elimination

The stool pattern will be more regular and predictable.  The "normal" pattern can vary from one at each feeding to a soft stool every few days.  The number of wet diapers may decrease slightly as your infant's kidneys become more mature and are able to concentrate urine.

Development/Play

Continue to play with your baby.  Remember, the interaction that she has with you and other care givers is important for her social and emotional growth.  When awake, bring her into the room where you are.  You will begin to notice that her unique personality is becoming more evident!

Your baby should have a little more head control now.  She is able to hold her head up when in a sitting position, but the head still bobs forward and may need extra support sometimes.  Your baby may also visually follow a dangling toy from side to midline.  Encourage this development by providing a mobile above her crib.  This needn't be expensive, just safe.

Continue to talk, read, and sing to your baby.  Respond enthusiastically to her coos and babbles.  Although it is tempting to use "baby talk," try to talk to your baby in adult language.  Take turns listening and responding to each other to encourage communication skills.  Introducing her to others and bringing her to events where infants are tolerated, will stimulate intellectual and social development.

Safety

Remember always to use your child's infant safety seat when in a motor vehicle for any length trip.  If you always use it, your child will think that is where she should always be, which is, in fact, where she must be.

Keep your infant away from unsupervised young children and animals, especially dogs and cats because serious injuries can occur.  Supervised play is safer.  Do not leave your child unattended.  Do not cover crib mattresses with plastic and always put up rails.  Do not use a bottle nipple for a pacifier.  Make sure the pacifier is of one piece and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission approved.  This is a time in your baby's development where sucking is important so a pacifier or thumb sucking is all right.  However, do not tie the pacifier on a string around your infant's neck as this could choke your baby.

Burns are a very common type of accident and can result in permanent disfigurement or death.  You may be bathing your infant in the tub now.  If so, remember to check the water temperature and always keep one hand on the baby.  Hot water heaters should be set at less than 120 degrees as this greatly decreases the chance of accidental burns.

Cooking and hot foods and liquids are a common cause of burns.  Do not eat or drink anything hot while holding your baby.  A cup of hot coffee is the most common food cause of scalded children.  If you smoke, ask for help in eliminating the habit.  Not only is passive smoke harmful to your baby but with her increasing activity your infant is more likely to get burned.  Develop a fire escape plan for your home.  Recheck or purchase a smoke detector(s) and fire extinguisher(s).

NOTE:  You as a parent are the primary care giver for your child.  You may need help or a break.  This is normal and okay.  Assistance is preferable to unintentionally taking stress out on a child.  Consider getting some help from relatives or friends or hiring a babysitter.

Suggested Handouts, Readings and Videos

• Baby Alive
  videotape and book
  
  
• Baby Basics
  
  
• Selecting a Day Care or Sitter
  
  
• Taking Your Child's Temperature
  
  
• Calling your Child's Doctor
  
  
• Immunizations (generally and or specific to those to be given next visit)
  
  

  ---

  Anticipatory Guidance Sheets for Parents by M. Cohen, D. Hansen, and K. Skilling, ©1994 has been reviewed favorably by the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation.

  ---

General Child Care

• The Well Baby Book
  by M. Samuels and N. Samuels
  
  
• Babyhood
  by P. Leach
  
  
• Caring For Your Baby and Young Child
  by American Academy of Pediatrics
  
  
• Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care
  by B. Spock and M. Rothenberg
  
  
• A Family Doctor's Answer Guide to Your Child's Health
  by M. Cohen (after 1/95)
  
  
• What To Expect the First Year
  by A. Eisenberg, H. Murkoff, and S. Hathaway
  
  
• Taking Care of Your Child
  by R. Pantell, J. Fries, and D. Vickery
  
  
Growth and Development


• Infants and Mothers
  by T. Brazelton
  
  
• The First Twelve Months of Life
  by T. Caplan
  
  
• Kid Fitness
  by K. Cooper
  
  
• Arnold's Fitness for Kids Ages Birth - 5
  by A. Schwarzenegger
  
Other

• Mother's Almanac
  by M. Kelly and E. Parsons
  
  
• Working and Caring
  by T. Berry Brazelton
  
  
• Whole Child, Whole Parent
  by P. Berends
  
  
• How To Have a Smarter Baby
  by S. Ludington-Hoe and S. Golant
  
  
• Helping Your Child Sleep Through the Night
  by J. Cuthbertson and S. Schevill
Copyright ©1994-1997 Sunbelt Medical Publishers.  All rights reserved.